Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Note: What did I say yesterday? That after the Super Bowl, the entire sports world simply flips to an entirely new season. How do I know this? Because today's morning post starts with soccer (just as a jump-off, I promise!), continues with college hockey (WTF?!) and finishes with the Pro Bowl (No! Anything but that!) Some of you might not have been paying much attention to the NBA or college hoops or college football recruiting until this moment now that the NFL playing season is over. Welcome! Now, on with the morning...What if your team played a home game but no one was there to root them on?

Will Italy ban fans from its top-level soccer matches? It's a pretty fascinating story, even if it is (a) about soccer and (b) about Europe. (Neither of which I know any of you care about.)

But it raises an interesting hypothetical: What would happen if, say, an NFL game or a college football game or an NBA or college hoops game was played in front of NO ONE.

What if Duke hoops played "at home" in an empty stadium? Or LSU football? Or the Seahawks? Or the Mavs? What exactly is the impact of the energy of the crowd? And what would an absence of that energy do to a team? (Hell, either team?)

I'm just curious what you think the effect would be in one of those sports if a top-tier team with an avid home fan-base (and presumably a great home-court advantage) if the team played in front of totally empty seats?

Super Bowl XLI Hangover: It was the second-most-watched Super Bowl in history, along with the third-most-watched TV show ever.

It continues to be astounding when sports events can defy the current overall TV ratings slide from fragmentation of audience attention span.

College Hoops: What a best-of-both-worlds game last night on ESPN between Texas A&M and Texas:

Fans got to see THE break-out team of the year (Aggies) and THE most talented player in the game (Durant).

The Aggies won the game, yet another quality win that helps confirm that they are no mere fluke, come March.

(Or are they? Are the Aggies simply setting everyone up to be "that team" that has the amazing regular season, draws a No. 2 seed, then falls short of the Final Four? Marco at Just Call Me Juice has the analysis of why the Aggies are legit... like I said before: If you pick them to fold early, they'll go to the Final Four; if you pick them to the Final Four, they'll fold early. It's inevitable. They will absolutely be this year's Bracket Buster team.)

And Kevin Durant got his (28 points, 15 rebounds -- his 14th double-double of the season.)

More on this later today.

NFL Coaching Search: So do the Cowboys want Ron Rivera or what? Or are they simply going to hire Norv Turner? And will they convince Rivera (pay him enough) to take a defensive coordinator role under Turner with the promise of full control and a promotion in a season or two? Rivera can afford to wait a season and be the top candidate for any job a year from now.

NBA Last Night:Homecoming: Stephen Jackson racks up 36 on the Pacers in his return to Indianapolis as a member of the game-winning Warriors.

Confirmation: Caron Butler scored a career-high 38 (as Gil was cold and Jamison was DNP) and the Wiz beat the Sonics.

Question: How "valuable" could Steve Nash be if the Suns didn't need him to rally for a win over Denver? (Tracking: Nash's hurt shoulder).

NBA All-Star Game: Your dunk contestants: Nate Robinson, Gerald Green, Tyrus Thomas and Dwight Howard. A few comments: (1) Nate-Rob better not get 100 attempts to complete a dunk. (2) Big men (Thomas, Howard) will have a hard time winning. (3) Where is James "Flight" White? (thanks to TrueHoop for the tip-off).

Oh, reader Jerry Sloan sent me a link to a great post from his blog, comparing NBA names to the characters on "The Wire" that they represent. I'm a "Wire" fanatic, so this was of obvious interest. (Jerry, you copped out on McNulty. I'm going with Gil Arenas: Anti-authority high-performer.)

Mario Danelo's autopsy showed he was drunk when he plunged off the cliff to his death. A sad story gets worse.

College Hockey: (Yeah, you read that right.) I (barely) follow two college hockey events all year – the Frozen Four and the Beanpot, which held its semis last night, producing BU and BC for the title-game.

(I think my Beanpot interest came from going to school in Boston for two years, enjoying the college hockey scene... and from my wife dating a Beanpot star in college. As well-documented in the old Quickie chats, he was a future NHL player. Not that I have an inferiority complex about that or anything.)

NFL Pro Bowl: As usual, there is ZERO buzz... Worst all-star game in sports. Which is amazing, given that it is the most popular sport.

"During the first half they roughed us up, knocked us around and we didn't stand up to them. Steve had a talk at halftime and we played with a little bit more oomph in the second half," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "They've got some tough guys and we had to stand up to it. We want to play pretty, but pretty wasn't getting it done tonight."

Living in MN, I don't really follow college hockey with much zeal, but I end up watching a lot of games intermittently on the weekends. Fun games, fun sport, great uniforms (except Minnesota State,Mankato). Up there with college baseball and softball. (Which isn't a dig.)

I think the last big Super Bowl topic is whether the Bears will be one and done after their loss. I say yes.

You missed all the excitement of what happened in Italy: there was a huge clash with fans outside the stadium. A policeman died from a grenade to the face. The game got interrupted when TEAR GAS started blowing onto the field. Then the authorities suspend league play after the death.

Here's why they don't just cancel the rest of the season: the Italian gov't gets a cut of all the soccer gambling. So, even with the rioting (this is just the most recent episode) and police lives in danger, they don't want to call off the games.

justin, I'm a BU alum too and agree with everything you say. My freshman year was the football team's last year, I watched people go nuts tearing up the field from my neighbor's room in West Campus. Go Terriers! ;)

Games with no one in the stands = freaky. Even when you're in kindegarten there's a full contingent of parents and siblings and such around, making noise. I think all the players will be completely spooked. I'd watch it on TV!

I'm not surprised by the Superbowl ratings, at least around me people generally seemed more interested this year than in year's past. The promise of a decent halftime couldn't have hurt either.

Didn't the Dunk Contest have a two-try limit once, or am I making that up? Or maybe 5? There should ALWAYS be a limit.

On the subject of games without fans, about 15 years ago there was, I believe, a mono outbreak in the conference that now is the America East.

Anyways, they were holding their conference tournament at the Hartford Civic Center (15,000 seats), hosted by the U. of Hartford, and sure enough, the tournament was quarantined, so they had cardboard cutouts of fans and just about nobody allowed in the arena.

(Insert "looked like a Whalers game" cracks here....)

The Pro Bowl sucks because it's the only game where you can't go half-ass and have it still look real.....now if they wanted to make it flag football for the pro bowl....I wonder if that would work.

If someone gives Nate a 3.0 on a lame "ooh, I'm 5'7", any dunk's a good dunk" attempt, will he go after the judge and cuff him?

I missed you guys yesterday. Out town all weekend with no internet access. What I miss? Not much. Just quickly slipping back to the Super Bowl who else here thinks the MVP voters had no choice but to vote for Manning for MVP even though CO-MVP's of Addai and Rhodes would of been the right choice.

College hockey is a legitimate sport in Minnesota and New England. You want to talk about rabid fan bases. The whole scene is largely untouched by the shadier aspects of other major intercollegiate sports, and there's the whole "mid-major" effect where smaller schools (such as St. Cloud State) can still make a splash. Go Huskies!

Interesting comment about home fans. In 2001, right after 9-11, Army played Air Force with no fans in the stadium. The Government was concerned about a congregation of 8,000 future military leaders, along with 45,000 fans as a potential lucrative target. Also, the 1944 Army Navy game (I know, a long time ago for 2 teams no one watches), only the Army team got to travel for the game. So, what the schools agreed to do is divide the Army Corps of Cadets in half, with half of the Corps learning Navy cheers and serving as a surrogate Navy Fan Base. Could you imagine a Florida fan ever doing a Georgia cheer at the event formerly known as a cocktail party?

Any chance none of us care about soccer because it just doesn't get any coverage from the media? I get ramped up for soccer once every four year for the World Cup, and then let it fade into a dusty back corner in my mind.

It just so happens that the only mainstream media attention the sport gets is during the World Cup, and I think part of the reason I can get excited about it is because other people get excited about it and you can actually talk with people about it (the whole bonding-cum-sports thing).

So, Dan, I encourage you to continue the soccer talk, if only to see what happens.

Should be a great matchup on Monday when my BC Eagles face off (again) against the evil forces of BU (led by Dick Cheney aka Jack Parker). Sadly, BU always wins these things, but the way the regular season matchups have gone this year between BC and BU, it could go any which way.

All you have to do is watch a Colorado Buffalo home basketball game to see what college hoops would be like in front of no one.

Unnervingly quiet and you can easily pick out the individual fans cheering (all 5 of them) but it must serve as some bizzarro home court advantage because they beat an OSU team that they had no business staying with and an Iowa State team that, while not that good, is still much better than the Buffs.

Manning really played the perfect game. Considering the conditions he called the right plays. When the Bears weren't stopping the run they kept running, as they should have. Also the pick he threw was on 3rd and 8 and it was a long pass, it was basically a punt, without having to worry about Hester running it back.

I think you make a great point. I think it also has a lot to do with the fact that soccer is never on here unless it's the world cup. Part of the reason I get interested in the WC is because I can actually see some of the games and get to know the players. The same is true for any casual sports fan in any sport. If you don't have a rooting interest and you have no idea who is on the team and the style of ball they play, then how can you get into the game? Exposure is the key.

I like the NBA playoffs for this same reason. I couldn't care less about the regular season. It's too long, the games don't mean anything, unless you follow a local team, you really don't get to see the same teams and follow the game unless you are an avid fan. However, more than half the teams in the league make the p'offs (the good half that are worth watching), there are games on every night, and you can watch every game and get to know the players, the teams, and the styles of play by actually seeing them on a regular basis. Same goes for College hoops and the conference tourneys and The Tournament.

For instance, I'm a casual soccer fan, but the sport is hardly ever on TV and when it is it's usually a team and a bunch of players that I don't know anything about because I never see them. With that said, I love seeing the U.S. play Mexico because a. Go USA! and b. It's usually such a heated and physical game (plus I love yelling at my TV when the Mexicans play dirty (which they inevitably always do)).

No mention of the fact that the nuggets played without Camby, AI and Evans? That's why the suns were able to come back without Nash, because the nugs ran out of Gas. If Carmelo has a triple double, you know they were short handed.

daddee, that's right, he called the plays, so it's not like he did nothing for the MVP. It was his bad play-calling that lost games in the past. So if you mocked him before, it's time to give him props now.

I wonder why more teams don't let QBs do their own playcalling. Sure, Manning isn't your average QB, but they've been so good for so long. I'm sure guys like McNabb, Brady, etc. study hard enough to be their own coordinators.

i love College Hockey..even though my Redhawks are performing their annual second half swoon. Ugh.

Yet another example of why Durant = KG. Good stats and a loss. Awesome. If Durant is drafted #1, its to be the leader of his team. He can't do it in college so far.

And Dan, you know there are soccer fans among your readers. Tsk. I think crowd does have a huge impact in certain games. It depends on the crowd. Certainly, teams like UNC, Duke or Oregon in Autzen, would be easier to beat without a crowd around.

Move the Pro Bowl to mid-season to make it matter more to fans. End of season makes it always anti-climactic.

And don't even both thinking about the "playing in front of an empty stadium" question. In soccer-obsessed Europe, if people try this, someone is going to die in a trampling. Count on it. THAT is the worst aspect of it.

Would that happen in America? Maybe, maybe not, but do you really want to find out?

Mark, Italian teams have played in empty stadiums the last few years as punishment for fans' actions during various games...there hasn't been any stampedes to try to break in...yet, anyway. It seems to me that the punishment is going to be too light.

And temwr...get a life! You can make fun of Dan or anybody else. But, if you come on here, read his blog and leave a comment, what does that say about you?!

Usually it's best to ignore some things, but temwr seems like an STD that burns so much that you cant just ignore it.

I know it gets lonely in your mom's basement all day while she's turning tricks to pay for your cable porn, but there are plenty of other blog sites to go to. I hear Mark Foley has one that you may be interested in.

While not everyone contributes to the site, at least most posts are readable and not just full of the bile of a small (and yes I mean your penis size) man who just wants to sound tough for once in his life. So go back to your lotion and playboys and leave us.

I read this somewhere and thought it was rather funny. Manning had his defining playoff run and during that run he had 3 TDs and 7 Ints.

Manning I think won the MVP because there was a lack of a defining moment and big play in the game. He managed the game well. The QB will always be favored to win the MVP unless there are some big plays made by others.

I apologize if this was already posted- did anyone see the dunk contest judge's panel this year?

MJDominiqueDr. JKobeVince Carter

I might have forgotten someone off the panel. However, its in Vegas this year. Coincidence that Jordan agreed to do it =).

Am I also the only one who thinks the media portrays Peyton Manning as the second coming? They say all this about him being a "nice guy"...I remember when he whined and tossed his teammates under the bus.

He is a great QB, he wants to win, but I'm doubting how much his teammates really love him. I could be wrong. The sun doesn't shine out of his ass.

Shanoff- pitchers and catchers report in what, 9 days or something? That means in 10 days, someone on the Cubs will tear a rotator cuff.

First off I don't know where some of you guys are getting the idea that Manning's teammates don't like him. I was in the RCA Dome last night for the Colt's rally and his teammates were getting on the mic and personally thanking him and the offense.

Secondly.. since I really wasn't around yesterday.. how's the crow to all you Colt's naysayers? And because this absolutely never gets old.. The Bear's are who we thought they were....

When was the last time you heard the Peyton Manning was invited to a party? That's why everyone thinks that he's not liked. I mean besides the incessant whining over a dropped pass or a route ran wrong, i guess he might be a great guy. But if you tried to have a conversation with him, he'd probably audible and wave his arms around.

I think Gretzky is closer to Jordan than Lemieux. Past that, it is an awesome list.

I'd do one for college hockey, but I wouldn't be able to keep writing without discussing how BU coach Jack Parker is a Dick Cheney ringer. Though the BC/BU rivalry could probably be compared to Red Sox/Yankees, in that they're always two of the best teams, and everyone outside of their fan bases probably hates them.

I dunno, Jordan won more championships than Gretzky. Both guys completely transcended their sports with their individual dominance, more than I think Lemieux did. Really Jordan, Gretzky, and Ruth sit in their own sports pantheon, looking down at everyone else. To me, Lemieux is closer to a Shaq or a Hakeem, where they had a few years where they might've been the best, but will never be considered better than Gretzky/Jordan.

Erg, should have known there might be a Notre Dame fan lurking somewhere. At least BC owns you guys in football (4-0) the last 4 times they've played.

I don't agree with the Gretzky comments. He was a player that needed others around him. Remember, he amassed most of his stats when other hall of famers and all-stars were playing with him (Messier, Kurri, Coffey, MacTavish, etc.). Whereas, Lemieux made all-stars and 40 goal, 100 point players out of Rob Brown and Dan Quinn.

Also, Gretzky always needed an enforcer on his line to make sure he wasn't harrassed (McSorley). One of my favorite hockey moments was when Lemieux instigated a fight and was thrown out of a playoff game against the Caps. The Penguins won in 4OT on a Petr Nedved goal.

I think Lemieux was hampered by poor health. Without which he would have broke most of Gretzky's record. If you look at his cancer season, had he played the whole season he would have obliterated Gretzky's goals and points/season records. I do think however, that Gretzky's 163 assists will never be beaten, but then again, that says a lot about him.

Marco, The attendance was around 40,000. What is not reported is the fact that the closed the gates at some point and stopped letting people in in. There was also the parade outside with thousands of people standing outside for roughly 3 hours in single digit temps. Hardly anything pathetic about it really considering this all occurred less then 24 hours after winning the Superbowl. Most teams wait 3-4 days before having the parade.

The biggest problem was the Colts were delayed an hour coming from Miami, so everyone showed up along the parade route, and others went straight to the dome by 3pm. The plane didn't land in Indy until after 4 and the parade didn't officially start until 5:50pm. 2 hours AFTER they were supposed to have been at the dome. The fans were loud as hell in the stadium, and from the video of the parade that we could see there were fans lined up for a couple of miles.

Wrong, Gretzky made those players better especially Kurri and Coffey.In his first year he scored 137 points playing with Brett Callighen and B. J. MacDonald, household names those are. MacDonald scored 46 goals.

Second year up to 164 points playing with Callighen and rookie Kurri, sure he was going to become a good player but not then.

Third year 212 points, playing mostly with Kurri (32 whopping goals) and Dave Lumley or Callighen. Messier and Anderson had good seasons but mostly played on the second line.

etc etc etc

Gretzky baseball and football type equivalents:

100 Hr's and 250 rbi's a60 TD passes 40 points/game in BBall

Those type of #'s and you have Gretz. Slightly better than Steve Nash who I like but no comparison!!!

Gretzky is closer to Jordan in the way he transcended the game, what he means to Canada, etc.

But I think the better comparison is probably Gretzky=Montana. Montana never won without Jerry Rice, Gretzky without Messier.Lemiuex is probably closer to Namath or Bo Jackson.

Jordan has one of those dominant careers that are unique to basketball, like Shaq, Bill Russell and Jordan. Hockey doesn't have that, unless we look at the goalies, who just aren't that famous outside the game. Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur dominated eras, but just aren't that popular to outsiders. Which is too bad, really.

Also I think the Penguins brought in Ron Francis among others when they won in the '90/'91 season. And they had Paul Coffey until midway through the '91/'92 championship season as well.

So I wouldn't exactly say Lemieux didn't have any help either. No doubt Lemieux was hampered by poor health though. My only comment is that he never acheived the greatest among them all status that Gretzky and Jordan hold. That's all.

Damn, now I really want to go back and play the old NHL hockey games on genesis.

Finally!! No more American Football!! I really enjoy following American sports, but the one I'll NEVER get into is the 4+ hours per "game" (spectacle) of, zzzz..., American football. Thank goodness Super 14 rugby has started!

Italy soccer: Early last year, Inter Milan was forced to play 3 Champions League games at home in front of an empty stadium [because their fans pelted AC Milan keeper Dida with lit flares after a legit goal was disallowed]. Nobody remembers that anymore (since they were group games, not knockout phase games). The problem is bigger than that, and now that Italian soccer fans are the media's next soccer hooligan target [See England, 1980s], hopefully something meaningful will get done.

Tom Hicks (Texas Rangers owner) is expected to purchase Liverpool. Liverpool are like the Red Sox to Man. Utd's Yankees (although Liverpool has championships by the fistful, so maybe more like the Dodgers?) Anyway, now both are owned by Americans.

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DanShanoff.com is a sports-blog spin-off of my long-time ESPN.com column, "The Daily Quickie." Anchored by an early-morning post of must-know topics, the blog is updated frequently throughout the day with new posts and user comments.